Abstract: Recombinant fission yeast cells and methods of using them are described, which provide for identification of chemical and biological inhibitors or activators of a target exogenous phosphodiesterase (PDE). The invention provides, in some aspects, compounds that inhibit cAMP PDE activity and compositions that include such compounds. The invention, in part, also includes methods of using cAMP PDE-inhibiting compounds in the treatment of cAMP PDE-associated diseases and/or disorders.

Abstract: Recombinant fission yeast cells and methods of using them are described, which provide for identification of chemical and biological inhibitors or activators of a target exogenous phosphodiesterase (PDE). The invention provides, in some aspects, compounds that inhibit cAMP PDE activity and compositions that include such compounds. The invention, in part, also includes methods of using cAMP PDE-inhibiting compounds in the treatment of cAMP PDE-associated diseases and/or disorders.

Abstract: Recombinant fission yeast cells and methods of using them are described, which provide for identification of chemical and biological inhibitors or activators of a target exogenous phosphodiesterase (PDE). The invention provides, in some aspects, compounds that inhibit cAMP PDE activity and compositions that include such compounds. The invention, in part, also includes methods of using cAMP PDE-inhibiting compounds in the treatment of cAMP PDE-associated diseases and/or disorders.

Abstract: A filter cartridge comprises a length-adjustable end cap attached to an end of a filter body. The end cap includes an annular seal, a spacer coaxially positioned in spaced relationship with the seal, and a connection member including a cylindrical neck in moveable sealing contact within the seal and in a snug sliding fit within the spacer and an imperforate flange including a seal on a radial outer region thereof. A method of joining an end cap to an end of a generally cylindrical filtration medium comprises positioning an annular spacer ring in a recess of a connection flange of an end cap; melting an exposed portion of the connection flange; contacting the melted exposed portion of the flange and an end of a filter body; and allowing the melted exposed portion to cool and bond the filter body to the end cap.

Abstract: Length-adjustable end caps and filter cartridges including the same are provided. In preferred embodiments, the length-adjustable end caps include a stationary ring member which unitarily includes an annular lip seal, and a connection member in moveable sealing contact with said lip seal. Most preferably, the lip seal is a segment of a conical surface. The stationary ring member preferably includes a connection flange which defines an annular recess concentric with, but spaced from, the unitary lip seal. An annular spacer ring received within said recess. During thermal bonding of the connection flange to an end of a generally cylindrical filter medium, the spacer ring and the end of the filter medium will both be melded to respective adjacent portion of the connection flange.

Abstract: Length-adjustable filter cartridges are provided which in preferred embodiments include at least one length-adjustable end cap attached to an end of a generally cylindrical filter body. The length-adjustable end cap most preferably includes an annular stationary ring member which is attached to one end of the filter body, and a moveable connection member slideably received within said annular stationary ring member so as to be moveable longitudinally relative thereto. A seal is formed between the stationary ring member and the moveable connection member so as to seal against fluid leakage yet permit relative axial movement (length adjustment) therebetween. In use, the filter cartridges may be adapted to fit conventional standardized bag filter cartridge housings even though the physical size and/or geometries of the metal support basket thereof is non-standard.

Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly includes a filter cartridge having a generally cylindrical filter medium which defines a cylindrically shaped core space, and a pair of end caps fixed to opposite ends of the filter medium. Most preferably, the filter cartridge is "coreless" in that it is not provided with an integral support core structure. At least one of the end caps (e.g., the proximal end cap) is annular and has an interior cylindrical surface defining an interior space in alignment with the core space. A truncated generally conically shaped seal skirt is operatively associated with the annular end caps. The filter cartridge is sleeved over reusable support core structure which includes a base having a truncated conically shaped seal skirt, and a tubular perforated rigid core element fixed at one end to the base. The annular end-cap and the base of the support core structure are removably mechanically coupled to one another, most preferably by being threadably interconnected.

Abstract: Substantially constant tension is maintained on a melt-blown nonwoven fibrous sheet by mounting the sheet take-up roller for longitudinal movements relative so as to accommodate the increasing diameter of the sheet material being wound convolutely on the take-up roller. Sheet tension during production is thereby maintained substantially constant by virtue of a continual increase in the longitudinal distance (in relation to the machine direction) between the fiber collection mandrel and the take-up roll. Preferably, tension control is achieved by a pneumatic pressure-regulating system which includes at least one rotatable press roller which is longitudinally fixed in position relative to the collection mandrel and is in contact with the sheet material being wound around the take-up roll. The take-up roller is pneumatically advanced toward the press roller by the pneumatic actuation of at least one air cylinder.

Abstract: Substantially constant tension is maintained on a melt-blown nonwoven fibrous sheet by mounting the sheet take-up roller for longitudinal movements relative so as to accommodate the increasing diameter of the sheet material being wound convolutely on the take-up roller. Sheet tension during production is thereby maintained substantially constant by virtue of a continual increase in the longitudinal distance (in relation to the machine direction) between the fiber collection mandrel and the take-up roll. Preferably, tension control is achieved by a pneumatic pressure-regulating system which includes at least one rotatable press roller which is longitudinally fixed in position relative to the collection mandrel and is in contact with the sheet material being wound around the take-up roll. The take-up roller is pneumatically advanced toward the press roller by the pneumatic actuation of at least one air cylinder.

Abstract: Filtration medium is formed of a mass of nonwoven melt blown support and filtration fibers which are integrally co-located with one another. The support fibers have, on average, relatively larger diameters as compared to the filtration fibers which are integrally co-located therewith. Preferably, the filtration medium is disposed within at least one annular zone of a filtration element, for example, a disposable cylindrical filter cartridge having an axially elongate central hollow passageway which is surrounded by the filtration media. A depth filter cartridge in accordance with the present invention may thus be formed having one or more additional filtration zones (which additional filtration zones may or may not respectively be provided with integrally co-located support fibers) in annular relationship to one another.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided to make a melt blown fibrous medium and includes first and second melt blowing dies for respectively issuing first and second streams of melt blown fibers along first and second melt blown paths. The first and second streams are issued on a forming surface where the streams are collected to form a melt blown fibrous medium. A movable transfer surface is interposed between the first die and the forming surface in the first path so that the first stream of melt blown fibers impinges on the transfer surface in advance of the forming surface such that the first stream is transferred to and brought into contact with the second stream of melt blown fibers on the forming surface.

Abstract: Filtration medium is formed of a mass of nonwoven melt blown support and filtration fibers which are integrally co-located with one another. The support fibers have, on average, relatively larger diameters as compared to the filtration fibers which are integrally co-located therewith. Preferably, the filtration medium is disposed within at least one annular zone of a filtration element, for example, a disposable cylindrical filter cartridge having an axially elongate central hollow passageway which is surrounded by the filtration media. A depth filter cartridge in accordance with the present invention may thus be formed having one or more additional filtration zones (which additional filtration zones may or may not respectively be provided with integrally co-located support fibers) in annular relationship to one another.

Abstract: An export sequence of export DNA can be identified by transforming a population of cells with a vector having a transposon that includes a structural gene encoding a detectable compound, positioned between insertion sequences. The structural gene encodes a detectable compound that, in wild-type organisms, is translated with an export peptide effective to export the compound. Since the transposon lacks DNA coding for an export sequence capable of exporting the detectable gene product, transformants that export the gene product include a DNA fusion of the transposon to export DNA from the parent cell, in a position to allow expression of the fused DNA. The transformants are analyzed to locate the export DNA or a gene comprising it, and the position of the export DNA in the cell's genome is determined; the orientation of the insertion also is determined.